Counting mechanism



Oct. 6, 1936. F. w. Rz-:Hl-:R

COUNTING MECHANISM Filed March 24. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 6, 1936. F, w, REHER 2,056,689

GOUNTING MECHANISM Filed March 24, 1930 f 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 EMI ATTOF? EY.

4 :k7f 46 l E\70 FG; www1-0R -0 .44); FREvoZ/cxyE//E BY 4.1L

.4,5 of Fig. 2;

Patented on. 6, 1936 UNITED STATES COUNTING MECHANISM Fredrick W. Reher, Waterbury, Conn., assigner to Veeder-Root Incorporated, Hartford, Conn., a corporation of ,Connecticut Application March 24, 1930, Serial No. `438,350

2 Claims. (Cl. 205-7) My invention 'relates to counting mechanism.

It has among its objects to provide an improved counting mechanism especially adapted to use in connection with intermittently operated devices.

A further object of my invention is to provide such an improved mechanism including time operable to count the number of operations of thev device and accordingly to indicate, for example, the number of pieces operated upon as well as the total operating time. Further objects of my 'in-` vention include the provision of improved counter controlling means operative only while the device is operating,` and more particularly, improved electrical controlling means of this type, and of improved counter operating actuating means controlled by said controlling means and associated in an improved manner with counting means for the purpose or purposes set forth. Ihese and other objects and advantages of .my improved construction will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.A

Invthe accompanying drawings I have shown, for purposes ofl illustration, two embodiments which my invention may assume in practice, the same being illustrated as applied to drawbenches, althoughit will be understood that the invention is not limited to u se with such devices.

In these drawings,- Figure 1 is an elevation in partial section of a power driven drawbench of usual type having .one form of my invention applied thereto, certain of the power operated mechanism'for the 'chain being omitted to facilitate illustration;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the plug rod holder; Fig. 3 is a detail 'sectional view on line. 3--3 Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the counting unit, the cover being removed;I

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the counter unit; the view being taken from the bottom of Fig. 4; 5o Fig. 6 is a side elevation, the view being taken from` the richter File` 4:1

` Eig, 7isfan enlargeddetailView.ofl thedriving connections between'the ,counter loperatingmotor and the counter dri'/en thereby,andv Fig, rk8l is a diagrammatlcjview `of` a modified constructionof controlling mechanism connected in the circuit of the drawbench driving motor, the operative connections of the latter to thev chain being omitted to facilitate illustration.

Referring iirst to the construction illustrated 5 in Figs. 1 to 7, it will be noted that I have shown therein a usual type of drawbench having a frame I and a motor driven chain 2, to which is operatively connectible during drawing a draw carriage 3 movable on suitable guides 4 on the frame 10 and also having usual means 5 adapted to grasp thev material to be drawn, as for example tube stock 6, and draw the same through a die 'l carried by the frame I and along a plug 8 on a'plug rod 9, the opposite end of which is disposed in a sult- 15 able slot II in a stationary holder I2 carried by the frame, and provided with a projection I3 adapted to be pulled against the far side of the holder throughout the drawing operating. y

Referring more particularly to my improved m counting means, it will be noted `that the-latter includes counter actuating means which are in turn controlled by controlling means operative only during the operation of the device, herein during the actual drawing of the tubing. While 25 these controlling means may assume various forms and be associated with various parts of the, drawing mechanism, it will further be noted that in this form of my invention I have shown the same as associated with a moving part of that 30 mechanism, herein vthe plug rod 9, since thisx member, due to its movement toward the die whenever the drawing operation begins, and its release by the tube at the completion of each drawing operation, is particularly adapted to use 35 as the starting and stopping means for the controlling and counting mechanisms.

Referring more particularlyto Figs. 1, 2 and 3,

it will be noted that I have providedupon the back of the holder I2 a pivoted yslotted holder member '40 |4, pivoted at I5 on the holder and adapted to which are' operative automatically ati'the beginning of each drawing operation to c'losea controlling circuit, and. .which` are lsimilarly Vautovface of the member I 8.

matically perativeat the end of each drawing operation to break the controlling circuit.

More particularly considering the illustrative form of this contact mechanism, it will be noted that at one side of the rod slot in the member I4 and in the face thereof adjacent the holder I2, I provide a recess I6 into which projects the outer end |1 of a suitable plunger movable through a closure `member I8 suitably fixed, as by screws I9, in the outer end of a chamber 29 extending longitudinally of the holder I2. Moreover, it will be noted that a coiled spring 2| encircles the outer end of this plunger and acts between the end of the recess I6 and the end wall of a corresponding smlaller recess 22 in the adjacent Herein, it will also be noted that the plunger |1 has a collar or flange 23 between its ends adapted to lbe received in a corresponding recess 24 in the opposite face of the member I8. The opposite end of the plunger herein is not only encircled by a lighter coiled spring 25, but extends into a suitable axial recess 26 in a movable contact member 21, preferably of insulating materiall and reciprocable in the chamber 29, preferably within suitable insulating material 28 forming an inner casing therein. Herein, the spring 25 acts between the collar 23 and this member 21. The latter also carries an annular contact 29 on its inner end and has a series of communicating recesses 39 inside said contact, one of which forms an abutment for a coiled spring 3| while the other receives a sleevelike projection 32 on a stationary contact carrying member 33, against which the opposite end of the spring 3| also abuts within said extension 32. This member 33 herein also carries contacts 34, 35, respectively connected to conductors 36, 31.

Thus, it will be noted that whenever the end I3 of the plug rod is sucked in during a drawing operation, the member I4 is moved against the action of the spring 2| in such manner as'to cause the movable contact carrying member 21 to bring its contact 29 into engagement with the contacts 34 and 35 and thus establish current connection between conductors 36 and 31. Conversely, when the drawing operation is completed and the pressure of the end I3 against the member I4 is relieved by the withdrawal of the tubing from the plug rod, the member I4 will be forced out` by its spring 2| and the movable contact 21 will be automatically separated from its contacts 34 and 35 to break this circuit connection.

Associated with.the circuit making and break- .ing mechanism just described and connected to the conductors 36 and -31 and to a suitable line connection 40, herein a (iO-cycle A. C. line, is improved counting mechanism, herein in the form of a counting unit generally indicated at 4I and comprising al suitable unitary receptacle conveniently disposed either adjacent the drawbench or at a suitable remote point, as may be desired. This unit 4I, it will be noted, comprises a casing 42 of substantially rectangular form and having a cover 43 provided with suitable apertures 44, 45 and 46 through which the several counting and telltale devices, hereinafter to be described, are visible. n

Referring more particularly to the time counting mechanism within this casing, it will be noted that a. synchronous electric motor, herein of the well known Telechron type, generally indicated at 41, is carried in one corner of this casing and has directly connected to the shaft 48 of. its armature 49, the shaft 50 of a suitable counter lunit 5I indicating minutes and tenths thereof and herein of a well known registering type having a plurality of coaxial wheels each having portions of their periphery progressively visible through the aperture 45. In a preferred construction, the two 4shafts 48 and 50 are coaxially disposed and connected by a' coupling, generally indicated at 52. Herein, this coupling is in the form of a exible joint and embodies a well known Oldham coupling comprising members 53 and 54 suitably attached to the respective shafts by setscrews 55 and having a coupling member 56 therebetween receivingcorresponding projections on the oppositely located members 53 and 54.

Thus it will be noted that when the terminals of the motor. 41 are connected, one to a conductor 31 leading to the contact mechanism and the other through a conductor 51 connected to the 6Q-cyclealternating current line, the motor 41 and counter 5| forms in eiect an electric clock mechanism which operates so long as the motor 41 is operated. When, however, upon the completion 0f a drawing operation, the rod end I3 relieves the pressureon the portion I4 and the circuit is broken automatically through the contacts 29, 34 and 35, current flow from the line will be interruptedand operation of the motor 41 and the counter 5| vdriven thereby will be discontinued. Thus, the latter counter, when the motor' 41 is successively set in operation by successive drawing operations and has its circuit broken at the end of each drawing operation, will count the total operating or actual drawing time of the drawbench, while the total time during which the drawbench has been in operation will be visible at a. glance through the aperture 45.

In my improved construction- I have also associated with the time counting mechanism described, improved means for counting the number of drawing operations, and accordingly the number of pieces drawn. Herein, these means assume the form of a usual type of electromagnetic counter, generally indicated at 6I), connected in parallel across the line 31, 51 leading to the motor 41, this magnetic counter being disposed within the casing cover opposite the aperture 44. Inasmuch as various forms of electromagnetic counter may be used, it seems unnecessary to describe the same more specifically herein than to say that this counter is of the type adapted to count each time that current is supplied to its coils. Thus, it will be evident that each time that the contact mechanism on the drawbench holder is closed to establish current flow, the current ilow will actuate the electromagnetic counter 60 and thus count the piece then oprated upon bythe drawbench, while as successive pieces are drawn this counter 60 will be successively operated similarly in such manner that the total number of pieces previously drawn is always visible at a glance through the aperture 44.

In a preferred form of my construction, I also associate with the mechanism described a telltale operative to indicate in any suitable manner whether or not the mechanismpreviously described is operating. This telltale may obviously assume various forms but herein is in the form of a visible indicator, such as a lamp 6|, likewise connected in parallel across the connections 31, 51 and visible through the aperture 46 in the casing cover. Thus, whether the counter unit is disposed adjacent the drawbench or at a central point, as for example the station of a foreman'or inspector, it will be evident whether or not the particular drawbench 11's which it is connected is operating. The lamp, further, remaining lighted throughout each drawing operation, is helpful in indicating the manner in which the drawbench is being operated as regards interruptions, delays, etc.

Considering the operation of the complete mechanism, it will be evident that each time that the carriage 3 moves back or to the left from the die 1, the end I3 of the plug rod 9 will cause current flow to be established from the line through the contacts 29, 34, 35 and through the motor 41 to operate the counter 5|, current ilow at the same time being established to the electromagnetic counter 60 and through the telltale lamp 6|. The motor 41 will continue to operate and actuate the counter 5| so long as drawing continues, while each time that current ilow is established the counter 60 will be operated once, and the telltale 6I will be maintained in circuit so long as the motor 41 is operating. When, however, the drawing operation is completed, the end I3 of the plug rod will relieve the pressure on the member I4 and break the circuit at the contacts 29, 34, 35, whereupon the operation of the motor 41, and consequently of the counter 5|, will cease and the telltale light 6| will go out. Obviously, these operations will be continued as successive pieces are drawn, and the counterv 5| will successively total the operating time, while the counter 60 will total the number of operations and accordingly the number of pieces drawn. I

In Fig. 8 I have illustrated a modified construction wherein, as distinguished from using contact mechanism on the drawbench, the need for all such special equipment on the latter is obviated. More particularly, it will be noted that in this construction the motor of the drawbench has included in its connections a coil 10 which in turn acts upon a contact carrying core 1| operative during 'the drawing operation to bridge contacts 12, 13 and thereby establish current ilow from a line 14, similar to the line 40, to

, a counter unit 4| Vsuch as heretofore described,

while at the end of each drawing operation, due to the change in current flow through the coil 10, the member 1| will break the circuit at these contacts 12, 13. Thus it will be observed that the mechanism of the counter unit 4| is caused to operate in the same manner as previously described and to indicate both the total operating time and the number of operations, while of course the telltale is also similarly operated, all while using ordinary standard drawbench mechanism, and without the needY of any additions thereto, while the connection of the coil 10 in the motor circuit is simple and relatively inexpensively made and substantially trouble-proof. As a result of my improved construction, it will be noted that it is made possible to count the total operating time of an intermittentlyoperating device and have the result at any time available either at a point adjacent the device or at any selected more remote point. Further, it will be observed that the time counting mechanism is so connected and disconnected as automatically to connect or disconnect the counter at the beginning and end, respectively, of each of the intermittent operations so that with the rate of operation known, the number of feet produced can be read ily ascertained. Through the provision of the cooperating piece counter, it is also made possible to indicate the total production in pieces of any such intermittently operated device, while the use of the telltale enables a still further check to be kept on the operation of the machine. Thus, for example, at a suitable central station in a plant all of the various counter umts connected to all of the various intermittently operating devices may be located, and from these counters it is made possible to determine accurately at the end of the day not only the total operating time, which with the known rate of operation of the power driven machines will give the production thereof, but through the piece counter to determine at the end of the day the total number of pieces produced. In certain instances also these counters are adapted to use in iiguring the piece rate for the operators operating upon the several machines. Attention is also directed to the fact that the mechanism is such as to be quite generally adapted to various types of intermittently operated devices other than drawbenches. It will further be noted that it is adapted to application to various types of drawbenches, the mechanism shown in Figs. 1 to 7 being especially adapted to use on a so-called double chain drawbench comprising a drawbench having a plurality oi chains with both chains driven from a common motor, while the construction shown in Fig. 8 is adapted to use in connection with a single chain drawbench driven by one motor. These and other advantages of my improved construction will, however, be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have in this application speciically described two forms which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that the same are shown for purposes of illustration only and that the invention may be further moditled and embodied in various other forms and applied to other devices than drawbenches, without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a drawbench having a movable carriage and cooperating stationary and movable die elements, electrically operated counter means for totalizing drawing time having an energizing circuit, and circuit controlling means operative during drawing by said carriage including cooperating stationary and movable contacts carried by said drawbench and operated by said movable die element to control the circuit of said counter means and eecting continuous operation thereof during each drawing operation of said die elements.

2. In combination, a drawbench having a movable carriage, a stationary drawing element and a cooperating movable drawing element, time ncounting mechanism, including a self-starting constant speed `electric motor independent of said drawbench and including an energizing circuit, and means including stationary contact means in said circuit and a cooperating movable contact controlled by said movable element for automatically starting and stopping said motor at the beginning and end, respectively. of each drawing operation of said drawing elements.

FREDRICKl W. REI-IER. 

